PREVIEW: All change in Texas

SCOTT VERPLANK will defend his EDS Byron Nelson Championship title this week and while the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas course is the same in name, it has a completely different look just 12 months after Verplank’s emotionally charged victory.

The world No 28 has a lot of history with the championship, it’s namesake and the course. But with a long overdue revamp having taken place, Verplank will go into his defence with some trepidation.

"I know the greens needed to be fixed, but I putted on them OK," he said coyly. "You never want to see a course changed after you win on it, even if you know the changes are going to be good."

However, a lot of thought has been put into revamping the Jay Morrish-designed course and an million upgrade employed DA Weibring to make alterations to every tee, fairway and green, move 165 trees, rebuild almost 70 bunkers and re-route a number of holes.

Players to consider this week are the Masters champion Trevor Immelman who makes his first appearance on tour since winning at Augusta and the defending champion Verplank who unsurprisingly has the most top-10 finishes here.

Luke Donald could also be worth including as he was a runner-up here in 2007 while Rory Sabbatini, Adam Scott and Ian Poulter Boo Weekley will also be in action.

SFG players have until noon on Thursday to make their changes and attempt to carve out an early season lead in the overall standings. This week’s wild cards are Bart Bryant and Billy Mayfair, both are in Pool B.

SFG players in action

Pool A

Adam Scott
Rory Sabbatini
Sergio Garcia
Luke Donald
Trevor Immelman

Pool B
Scott Verplank
Ian Poulter
Hunter Mahan
Bart Bryant
Billy Mayfair

Pool C

Brett Wetterich
Mark Calcavecchia
Justin Leonard
John Senden
Jerry Kelly
Pat Perez

Pool D

Rod Pampling
Daniel Chopra
Anthony Kim
Jeff Quinney
Sean O’Hair
Carl Pettersson
John Rollins
Joe Durrant
Kenny Perry
Ryuji Imada

Pool E

Chad Campbell
Troy Matteson
Ryan Moore
George McNeill
Fredrik Jacobson